Denmark hopes to have air defence system in place from 2026

"I think we can realistically come to an agreement by the summer, so that we can start using the first ground-based air defence systems from 2026," defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen told a press conference.

The Danish government recently announced that it would allocate a further 50 billion krone ($7.0 billion) in additional defence spending from 2025 to 2026, increasing Danish defence spending to 3.0 percent of national GDP.

European allies are now talking about further boosting defence investments in the face of Russian aggression and uncertain support from Washington.

Doubt has been cast on US President Donald Trump's commitment to European security, as he has demanded that European powers pay more for their own security.

The government already said it wanted to acquire a system to defend the country from aerial attacks a year ago, but the current situation has pushed officials to act faster to find a solution, even if only temporary.

"Initially, we had planned to have a system in place in the 2030s," the defence minister said.

He said Denmark would "save at least a few years" by acquiring a temporary ground-based air defence system, although the government is yet to decide where to source it from.

Lund Poulsen said the government might rent or lease an air defence system, or decide to buy it.

"We are exploring options around the world to see which one can reach us very soon," Lund Poulsen said.